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CNN Live Sunday

U.S. Troops Prepare for Assault on Falluja; Supporters of Yasser Arafat Keep Vigil Outside Paris Hospital

Aired November 07, 2004 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is 11:00 a.m. in Washington, 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Hello. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. Ahead this hour, a state of emergency is now in place in Iraq as more attacks rock the country. We're live in Baghdad.
West of the Iraqi capital, American and Iraqi troops stand by for an expected assault on a rebel stronghold in Falluja. Also, supporters of Yasser Arafat keep up their vigil, hoping the Palestinian leader pulls through with his health crisis. We'll have the latest on Arafat's condition. Those stories straight ahead, but first other stories now in the news.

A deadline for three U.N. workers kidnapped in Afghanistan has been extended. Reuters reports militants are now threatening to kill the hostages in two days unless the government finds and releases 26 Taliban prisoners. The group initially threatened to kill the hostages by last Friday.

The European Union is urging the Ivory Coast to stop all military operations against French peacekeepers. Nine French soldiers and an American were killed in fighting this weekend. France says it's adding 600 extra troops to the area.

British police say it's remarkable so many people survived this disaster. At least six people were killed when an 300-passenger express train collided with a vehicle and derailed last night near London. Several others were hurt.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will congratulate President Bush on his reelection in person. The prime minister says a visit to Mr. Bush beginning Thursday is scheduled in Washington. The White House says Blair is one of America's greatest friends. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

More violence in Iraq. Car bombings and attacks on police stations kill at least 21 people. That violence has led to the interim prime minister declaring a state of emergency across most of the country today. Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is live in Baghdad with details. Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, that message was delivered to Iraqis by a spokesman for the prime minister. He said the reason the government was calling a state of emergency were quote, the continuing crimes committed by the terrorists. The state of emergency will be effective throughout the whole of Iraq. Apart from the Kurdish area in the north of the country the state of emergency will last for 60 days.

What the state of emergency will do is essentially put more power into the hands of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and today he was seen meeting with his defense minister, with his interior minister and with regional police chiefs. During that meeting, he said that the reason the government was putting the state of emergency into place now was because he wanted to deliver a safe and secure Iraq. He said so that all Iraqis could vote in the elections that are planned in January so that they could go to the polls and vote without fear of intimidation for insurgents. When Mr. Allawi was asked about the -- whether or not this would clear the way now for the offensive, the Iraqi and coalition offensive on Falluja to drive out insurgents, he said the time was running out for those insurgents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. We can't wait indefinitely. We have made our cares very clear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: For the insurgents, the deadliest area of their attacks today has been about 120 miles northwest of Baghdad, about 60 miles, 70 miles away from Falluja. Three apparently coordinated attacks on police stations this morning resulting in 21 people being killed. Those attacks, gunmen armed with rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire was also reported according to local hospitals, 21 people were killed. The hospital said difficult to know how many of the dead were policeman and how many civilians but they did say that one senior police official was killed south of Baghdad today, 30 miles south, the town of Latifiya, heavy fighting between insurgents, the coalition and Iraqi government forces. Six civilians killed in that fighting just south of Baghdad. Four civilians wounded. And in fact today, two vehicle -- two car bombs going off one on the key strategic road to Baghdad's main international airport and the other in the city targeting the house of the interim finance minister. He wasn't harmed but one person was killed and several others wounded. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nic Robertson in Baghdad, thanks very much for that update.

And now the latest on the rebel stronghold of Falluja. About 40 miles west of Baghdad, U.S. Marines think about 3,000 hard-core insurgents are dug in throughout the city. Many of the 50,000 residents still in the city are trying to get out before the U.S. and Iraqi forces launch a major offensive. Karl Penhaul is with the troops near Falluja and he joins us on the telephone with more. Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Fredricka. Certainly today, the troops, the Marines have been making their final preparations. When I say final preparations, they've been packing assault packs. They've been counting out ammunition and they've been greasing their guns, ready for action. In the course of the morning, the top brass from the 1st Marine expeditionary forces (UNINTELLIGIBLE) camped in the middle of the desert near Falluja and General John Sattler came on board. He's the commander of the 1st Marine expeditionary force and he gave a pep talk to his troops telling them what they were about to do.

In his words, he said that their mission was to free Falluja of thugs, mugs, murderers and intimidators. And he said that after the Marines had gone in there and done their mission, he said the sun would shine again on Falluja. He then handed the floor, in fact, a patch of desert across to his Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, Carlton Kent again a very strong message to pump up the troops. What Carlton Kent was saying was that this mission, this fight for Falluja was going to be historic. He said it was going to be as important as some of the World War II battles. He compared it to the fight for Iwo Jima. He also went on to compare the fights at Falluja to the fight for Hue City. That was Vietnam 1968. Certainly, U.S. commanders here are aware that what lies ahead in the coming days is urban warfare and they do believe that that could be bloody and they said could get dirty very quickly, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Karl Penhaul, thanks very much for that live report on the telephone from Falluja. Karl now with a more in- depth piece now on the cooperation between Iraqi and U.S. troops.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PENHAUL (voice-over): These soldiers from the new Iraqi army will soon be charging into battle for real. They'll be fighting shoulder to shoulder with U.S. Marines against thousands of insurgents holed up in nearby Falluja.

These terrorists are evil man, hiding among families and children and kill the Iraqi people, he says. The Iraqi soldiers are already familiar with the Soviet-designed weapons they've been issued, but they're training for the first time on U.S. armored attack vehicles. For many of the U.S. Marines, Falluja promises to be their first time in combat. On the other hand, for a lot of these Iraqi soldiers, they've already seen battles before. Some of them were part of the Peshmerga resistance fighters, others are Shia Muslims from southern Iraq.

Some analysts believe there's a risk those Peshmerga Shias who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein and are now soldiers, could try and wreak revenge on Falluja. The hard-core of the city's rebels are believed to be either former Saddam loyalists or Sunni Muslim radicals. Staff Sergeant Muhammad Ackmed Muhammed (ph), a former Peshmerga, says he's up for a fight but not out for revenge. They murder civilians and they hate the Iraqi security forces. I want to fight them as soon as possible, he says.

Iraqi security forces have fought alongside U.S. troops before. But as they train for urban combat, they know Falluja will be their most critical battle together. Interpreters play a key role, trying to ensure nothing is lost in translation. These tactics and orders are shared. Some of the U.S. advisers have also picked up a little Arabic. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been through a lot together the last seven months. We really have and I'm going to be the one right there with them in the battle. So I feel confident they'll do a really good job.

PENHAUL: Despite shows of confidence, the new Iraqi army does have problems. Some soldiers are undisciplined on the battlefield, according to some U.S. officers. U.S. military sources say another serious problem is desertion. Karl Penhaul, CNN, near Falluja.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Under military embed rules on operation security, we cannot report how desertion has affected this particular battle-ready unit.

We'll have more on the preparations outside Falluja coming up on LATE EDITION today. Join Wolf Blitzer as he talks to a retired U.S. Marine Corps morning general and a former NATO supreme commander on the fight for Falluja. That's at noon eastern.

Still ahead, a live report from Paris on the medical condition of PLO leader Yasser Arafat. His spokesman says he's just sleeping. But what are doctors really saying?

And later, one woman's struggle, keeping the family together and knowing her husband is about to head into the battle in Falluja. Still to come on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Conflicting reports on the condition of Yasser Arafat continue to come out of Paris. The latest word is that the Palestinian leader is sleeping and not in a coma. Fionnuala Sweeney is in Paris where Arafat remains in a military hospital. Fionnuala?

FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, the latest word coming from a hospital spokesman on Sunday who says that Yasser Arafat's condition has not changed since the last medical update which was given 48 hours ago in which then his condition was said not to have deteriorated. A further statement from the hospital is not expected today. The last word we have coming from a member of the Palestinian delegation here in Paris and the delegation visiting Yasser Arafat's bedside here at the hospital last evening and afterwards, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for Yasser Arafat coming out and speaking to reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NABIL ABU RUDEINEH, ARAFAT ADVISER: President Arafat is in a stable condition. Right now, he's sleeping. He is under -- he is still in the intensive care unit. He is under strict medical observance, and we hope that within the coming few days, we will be able to know exactly what he is suffering from. So far, nobody there knows the situation. And we hope that the coming days would be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) situation. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

RUDEINEH: He's not in a coma.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SWEENEY: Indications there from Nabil Abu Rudeineh that the doctors her still do not know what ails Yasser Arafat since the sudden downturn and deterioration in his condition on Wednesday evening. A sign though things are perhaps moving toward some kind of development. A member of the delegation, Mohammed Dahlan, who had been an interior minister and security minister in the last government of Mahmoud Abbas last year, leading the delegation here in Paris this morning and returning to Ramallah where he is to brief the Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, and other senior officials as to the state of Yasser Arafat's health. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right Fionnuala Sweeney, thanks so much for that update out of Paris.

While questions remain on Arafat's exact condition, Palestinian officials are working to increase security in the west bank and Gaza. Officials in Ramallah say patrols will be increased in the west bank as well as increased security for Palestinian officials and institutions. Authorities are concerned about any unrest that could follow if or when the 75-year old Arafat dies.

Also, Israeli security officials say details have been worked out allowing Arafat or rather details are still in the works. Arafat apparently has a family plot in Gaza, but apparently he would prefer to be buried in Jerusalem. Right now Israel says no to that.

Palestinians wonder what their future will be like after Arafat's leadership. CNN's John Vause explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's like nothing they've ever seen before, Yasser Arafat, the great survivor in a coma and close to death and for most Palestinians, there is little else to do now but to watch from afar and wait for the worse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More than 90 percent of all the Palestinian people know that Arafat, now is, mind die.

VAUSE: He's brain dead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

VAUSE: In Ramallah, the nighttime streets are packed, an end to another day of fasting during this holy month of Ramadan. Achmed Nuramani (ph) sells clothes at a roadside stand. Like many Palestinians, he's angry the Israelis have denied Arafat a burial in Jerusalem.

TRANSLATOR: It's wrong. It's his right to be buried in Jerusalem, his homeland, a place he has fought for his entire life.

VAUSE: In the Al Amali refugee camp, though, some like Yacob Hamdeh are holding out hope Arafat will make a triumphant return.

YACOB HAMDEH, PALESTINIAN REFUGE: We will pray to the God to make him come back healthy and good so as to continue his way.

VAUSE: These people are among the most loyal of Arafat's supporters, the refugees who still demand the right to return to the family homes they fled during Israel's war of independence.

(on-camera): To Israel and the United States, Yasser Arafat may be considered an obstacle to peace, but to many Palestinian refugees he is their champion, the leader who has consistently refused to give up their so-called right of return, the man who has never sold them out.

MUSTAFA BARGOUTI, POLITICAL ANALYST: One has to recognize that the whole movement with Mr. Arafat's Fattah movement was initiated in the refugee camps first and among refugees in the Diaspora.

VAUSE: And any future Palestinian leader will find it difficult to gain their trust and loyalty. Umm Ratp, a refuge as old as Arafat believes her future is now uncertain.

UMM RATP, REFUGE CAMP RESIDENT: Who knows what will happen to us after Arafat, she told me. Maybe God will send us a better leader. John Vause, CNN, Ramallah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: It is an anxious wait for thousands of American families as their loved ones get ready for a major offensive planned in Iraq. Coming up, we'll find out how one soldier's wife is coping with the uncertainty and the fear as her husband waits to take part in the expected assaulted on Falluja.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Recapping today's top stories, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat remains in a hospital near Paris. His exact condition remains unknown. The latest official word is that the 75-year-old is sleeping and in stable condition, that coming from his media spokesperson.

More violence has led to a state of emergency being declared across most of Iraq. There were more car bombings today and attacks near Iraqi police stations. The interim prime minister says peaceful efforts to stop the violence plaguing the country have failed.

Several thousand hardcore insurgents are thought to be dug in around the city of Falluja. Daily bombings and artillery attacks are being used to soften up insurgents' positions before a major planned offensive. Thousands of U.S. Marines are poised on the outskirts of town. Back home, thousands of Marine families are also waiting for the Falluja offensive. They wait fearing the worst while hoping for the best. Donna Tetreault, profiles the wife of one U.S. Marine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A day at the beach for Megan Smith and her two daughters Molly, three, and Maggie, 1 1/2, isn't without thoughts that someone is missing.

Corporal Matthew Smith, Megan's husband is one of the thousands of Marines in Falluja preparing for an expected assault against insurgents.

MEGAN SMITH, WIFE OF MARINE IN FALLUJA: I don't want to spend another anniversary without him. I don't want to spend another birthday without him. I just want him home.

TETREAULT: New year's eve, the couple will celebrate their third year of marriage. But now Megan focuses more on the smaller milestones. The last time she spoke to her husband was about a week ago.

SMITH: When we get on the phone, he jokes a lot more than usual. So I know he's scared, but he's trying to hide it. So it's -- it's -- I think it's very hard on him to be away again.

TETREAULT: This is Matthew's second deployment to Iraq and Megan is worried she could get the worst news possible, like her neighbor did, now a widow.

SMITH: To see my neighbor get that news and to hear her cry. It was hard because I knew it could have been me or it could have been Matt. And I don't want it to be.

TETREAULT: And Megan says that she spends a lot of time praying. She said when she married her husband, she knew what she had signed up for but she never dreamed it would be this difficult. But Megan's not alone. There are thousands of families just like her, all of them here in Oceanside at Camp Pendleton. Donna Tetreault for CNN, Oceanside, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, the votes are in. President George W. Bush is back in the White House. How will President Bush include the media in his new bipartisan spirit? RELIABLE SOURCES coming up at the bottom of the hour. Here's Howard Kurtz with a preview. Hi, Howie.

HOWARD KURTZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka, thanks very much. We'll grade the networks' coverage of election night and campaign 2004 with our panel of top journalists. CBS's John Roberts, "Time"'s Karen Tumulty and Frank Sesno. Plus, a look ahead at whether President Bush will possibly make peace with the press during his second term and the pundits who got it well, wrong, all that and more next on RELIABLE SOURCES.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot Howard, look forward to that. A quick look now at news across America.

Some residents in Louisville, Kentucky, are calling for a curfew. A series of shootings over the past four days have people living on the edge. Law enforcement officials say police patrols will be increased in that city's west end and the public is being asked for information about the crimes.

A crowd of angry protesters gathered in Hollywood, California, to demonstrate against President Bush's reelection and U.S military operations in Iraq. Several were arrested for allegedly throwing bottles and vandalizing cars.

And in Hawaii, a Gulf war veteran is taking the U.S. Army to court for ordering him back to active duty. The man was honorably discharged from the Army reserves and he says he has fulfilled his eight-year military obligation.

Now a look at weather with Rob Marciano. Rob.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

WHITFIELD: Not bad, nice and mild. Like that. Thanks a lot, Rob.

Much more ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY. In a few moments, at the bottom of the hour, RELIABLE SOURCES takes a closer look at the relationship between President Bush and the media as plans for his second term gets underway.

Then at noon, it's LATE EDITION with Wolf Blitzer, today talking about the president's domestic agenda. At 2:00 Eastern, it's PEOPLE IN THE NEWS, today profiling Tom Hanks and Rod Stewart. But first a look at the top stories.

Nearly two dozen people were killed in violence in Iraq today. Attacks on three police stations near Ramadi and a pair of car bombings in Baghdad led to a state of emergency being declared by the interim prime minister.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com


Aired November 7, 2004 - 11:00   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN CORRESPONDENT: It is 11:00 a.m. in Washington, 8:00 a.m. on the West Coast. Hello. I'm Fredricka Whitfield at the CNN global headquarters in Atlanta. Welcome to CNN LIVE SUNDAY. Ahead this hour, a state of emergency is now in place in Iraq as more attacks rock the country. We're live in Baghdad.
West of the Iraqi capital, American and Iraqi troops stand by for an expected assault on a rebel stronghold in Falluja. Also, supporters of Yasser Arafat keep up their vigil, hoping the Palestinian leader pulls through with his health crisis. We'll have the latest on Arafat's condition. Those stories straight ahead, but first other stories now in the news.

A deadline for three U.N. workers kidnapped in Afghanistan has been extended. Reuters reports militants are now threatening to kill the hostages in two days unless the government finds and releases 26 Taliban prisoners. The group initially threatened to kill the hostages by last Friday.

The European Union is urging the Ivory Coast to stop all military operations against French peacekeepers. Nine French soldiers and an American were killed in fighting this weekend. France says it's adding 600 extra troops to the area.

British police say it's remarkable so many people survived this disaster. At least six people were killed when an 300-passenger express train collided with a vehicle and derailed last night near London. Several others were hurt.

British Prime Minister Tony Blair will congratulate President Bush on his reelection in person. The prime minister says a visit to Mr. Bush beginning Thursday is scheduled in Washington. The White House says Blair is one of America's greatest friends. Keeping you informed, CNN, the most trusted name in news.

More violence in Iraq. Car bombings and attacks on police stations kill at least 21 people. That violence has led to the interim prime minister declaring a state of emergency across most of the country today. Senior international correspondent Nic Robertson is live in Baghdad with details. Nic?

NIC ROBERTSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Fredricka, that message was delivered to Iraqis by a spokesman for the prime minister. He said the reason the government was calling a state of emergency were quote, the continuing crimes committed by the terrorists. The state of emergency will be effective throughout the whole of Iraq. Apart from the Kurdish area in the north of the country the state of emergency will last for 60 days.

What the state of emergency will do is essentially put more power into the hands of Prime Minister Ayad Allawi and today he was seen meeting with his defense minister, with his interior minister and with regional police chiefs. During that meeting, he said that the reason the government was putting the state of emergency into place now was because he wanted to deliver a safe and secure Iraq. He said so that all Iraqis could vote in the elections that are planned in January so that they could go to the polls and vote without fear of intimidation for insurgents. When Mr. Allawi was asked about the -- whether or not this would clear the way now for the offensive, the Iraqi and coalition offensive on Falluja to drive out insurgents, he said the time was running out for those insurgents.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

AYAD ALLAWI, IRAQI INTERIM PRIME MINISTER: Absolutely. We can't wait indefinitely. We have made our cares very clear.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

ROBERTSON: For the insurgents, the deadliest area of their attacks today has been about 120 miles northwest of Baghdad, about 60 miles, 70 miles away from Falluja. Three apparently coordinated attacks on police stations this morning resulting in 21 people being killed. Those attacks, gunmen armed with rocket propelled grenades, small arms fire was also reported according to local hospitals, 21 people were killed. The hospital said difficult to know how many of the dead were policeman and how many civilians but they did say that one senior police official was killed south of Baghdad today, 30 miles south, the town of Latifiya, heavy fighting between insurgents, the coalition and Iraqi government forces. Six civilians killed in that fighting just south of Baghdad. Four civilians wounded. And in fact today, two vehicle -- two car bombs going off one on the key strategic road to Baghdad's main international airport and the other in the city targeting the house of the interim finance minister. He wasn't harmed but one person was killed and several others wounded. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Nic Robertson in Baghdad, thanks very much for that update.

And now the latest on the rebel stronghold of Falluja. About 40 miles west of Baghdad, U.S. Marines think about 3,000 hard-core insurgents are dug in throughout the city. Many of the 50,000 residents still in the city are trying to get out before the U.S. and Iraqi forces launch a major offensive. Karl Penhaul is with the troops near Falluja and he joins us on the telephone with more. Karl.

KARL PENHAUL, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi Fredricka. Certainly today, the troops, the Marines have been making their final preparations. When I say final preparations, they've been packing assault packs. They've been counting out ammunition and they've been greasing their guns, ready for action. In the course of the morning, the top brass from the 1st Marine expeditionary forces (UNINTELLIGIBLE) camped in the middle of the desert near Falluja and General John Sattler came on board. He's the commander of the 1st Marine expeditionary force and he gave a pep talk to his troops telling them what they were about to do.

In his words, he said that their mission was to free Falluja of thugs, mugs, murderers and intimidators. And he said that after the Marines had gone in there and done their mission, he said the sun would shine again on Falluja. He then handed the floor, in fact, a patch of desert across to his Sergeant Major Carlton Kent, Carlton Kent again a very strong message to pump up the troops. What Carlton Kent was saying was that this mission, this fight for Falluja was going to be historic. He said it was going to be as important as some of the World War II battles. He compared it to the fight for Iwo Jima. He also went on to compare the fights at Falluja to the fight for Hue City. That was Vietnam 1968. Certainly, U.S. commanders here are aware that what lies ahead in the coming days is urban warfare and they do believe that that could be bloody and they said could get dirty very quickly, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Karl Penhaul, thanks very much for that live report on the telephone from Falluja. Karl now with a more in- depth piece now on the cooperation between Iraqi and U.S. troops.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

PENHAUL (voice-over): These soldiers from the new Iraqi army will soon be charging into battle for real. They'll be fighting shoulder to shoulder with U.S. Marines against thousands of insurgents holed up in nearby Falluja.

These terrorists are evil man, hiding among families and children and kill the Iraqi people, he says. The Iraqi soldiers are already familiar with the Soviet-designed weapons they've been issued, but they're training for the first time on U.S. armored attack vehicles. For many of the U.S. Marines, Falluja promises to be their first time in combat. On the other hand, for a lot of these Iraqi soldiers, they've already seen battles before. Some of them were part of the Peshmerga resistance fighters, others are Shia Muslims from southern Iraq.

Some analysts believe there's a risk those Peshmerga Shias who were persecuted under Saddam Hussein and are now soldiers, could try and wreak revenge on Falluja. The hard-core of the city's rebels are believed to be either former Saddam loyalists or Sunni Muslim radicals. Staff Sergeant Muhammad Ackmed Muhammed (ph), a former Peshmerga, says he's up for a fight but not out for revenge. They murder civilians and they hate the Iraqi security forces. I want to fight them as soon as possible, he says.

Iraqi security forces have fought alongside U.S. troops before. But as they train for urban combat, they know Falluja will be their most critical battle together. Interpreters play a key role, trying to ensure nothing is lost in translation. These tactics and orders are shared. Some of the U.S. advisers have also picked up a little Arabic. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We've been through a lot together the last seven months. We really have and I'm going to be the one right there with them in the battle. So I feel confident they'll do a really good job.

PENHAUL: Despite shows of confidence, the new Iraqi army does have problems. Some soldiers are undisciplined on the battlefield, according to some U.S. officers. U.S. military sources say another serious problem is desertion. Karl Penhaul, CNN, near Falluja.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: Under military embed rules on operation security, we cannot report how desertion has affected this particular battle-ready unit.

We'll have more on the preparations outside Falluja coming up on LATE EDITION today. Join Wolf Blitzer as he talks to a retired U.S. Marine Corps morning general and a former NATO supreme commander on the fight for Falluja. That's at noon eastern.

Still ahead, a live report from Paris on the medical condition of PLO leader Yasser Arafat. His spokesman says he's just sleeping. But what are doctors really saying?

And later, one woman's struggle, keeping the family together and knowing her husband is about to head into the battle in Falluja. Still to come on CNN LIVE SUNDAY.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Conflicting reports on the condition of Yasser Arafat continue to come out of Paris. The latest word is that the Palestinian leader is sleeping and not in a coma. Fionnuala Sweeney is in Paris where Arafat remains in a military hospital. Fionnuala?

FIONNUALA SWEENEY, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Fredricka, the latest word coming from a hospital spokesman on Sunday who says that Yasser Arafat's condition has not changed since the last medical update which was given 48 hours ago in which then his condition was said not to have deteriorated. A further statement from the hospital is not expected today. The last word we have coming from a member of the Palestinian delegation here in Paris and the delegation visiting Yasser Arafat's bedside here at the hospital last evening and afterwards, Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesman for Yasser Arafat coming out and speaking to reporters.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

NABIL ABU RUDEINEH, ARAFAT ADVISER: President Arafat is in a stable condition. Right now, he's sleeping. He is under -- he is still in the intensive care unit. He is under strict medical observance, and we hope that within the coming few days, we will be able to know exactly what he is suffering from. So far, nobody there knows the situation. And we hope that the coming days would be (UNINTELLIGIBLE) situation. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE)

RUDEINEH: He's not in a coma.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

SWEENEY: Indications there from Nabil Abu Rudeineh that the doctors her still do not know what ails Yasser Arafat since the sudden downturn and deterioration in his condition on Wednesday evening. A sign though things are perhaps moving toward some kind of development. A member of the delegation, Mohammed Dahlan, who had been an interior minister and security minister in the last government of Mahmoud Abbas last year, leading the delegation here in Paris this morning and returning to Ramallah where he is to brief the Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei, and other senior officials as to the state of Yasser Arafat's health. Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right Fionnuala Sweeney, thanks so much for that update out of Paris.

While questions remain on Arafat's exact condition, Palestinian officials are working to increase security in the west bank and Gaza. Officials in Ramallah say patrols will be increased in the west bank as well as increased security for Palestinian officials and institutions. Authorities are concerned about any unrest that could follow if or when the 75-year old Arafat dies.

Also, Israeli security officials say details have been worked out allowing Arafat or rather details are still in the works. Arafat apparently has a family plot in Gaza, but apparently he would prefer to be buried in Jerusalem. Right now Israel says no to that.

Palestinians wonder what their future will be like after Arafat's leadership. CNN's John Vause explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOHN VAUSE, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): It's like nothing they've ever seen before, Yasser Arafat, the great survivor in a coma and close to death and for most Palestinians, there is little else to do now but to watch from afar and wait for the worse.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: More than 90 percent of all the Palestinian people know that Arafat, now is, mind die.

VAUSE: He's brain dead.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Yes.

VAUSE: In Ramallah, the nighttime streets are packed, an end to another day of fasting during this holy month of Ramadan. Achmed Nuramani (ph) sells clothes at a roadside stand. Like many Palestinians, he's angry the Israelis have denied Arafat a burial in Jerusalem.

TRANSLATOR: It's wrong. It's his right to be buried in Jerusalem, his homeland, a place he has fought for his entire life.

VAUSE: In the Al Amali refugee camp, though, some like Yacob Hamdeh are holding out hope Arafat will make a triumphant return.

YACOB HAMDEH, PALESTINIAN REFUGE: We will pray to the God to make him come back healthy and good so as to continue his way.

VAUSE: These people are among the most loyal of Arafat's supporters, the refugees who still demand the right to return to the family homes they fled during Israel's war of independence.

(on-camera): To Israel and the United States, Yasser Arafat may be considered an obstacle to peace, but to many Palestinian refugees he is their champion, the leader who has consistently refused to give up their so-called right of return, the man who has never sold them out.

MUSTAFA BARGOUTI, POLITICAL ANALYST: One has to recognize that the whole movement with Mr. Arafat's Fattah movement was initiated in the refugee camps first and among refugees in the Diaspora.

VAUSE: And any future Palestinian leader will find it difficult to gain their trust and loyalty. Umm Ratp, a refuge as old as Arafat believes her future is now uncertain.

UMM RATP, REFUGE CAMP RESIDENT: Who knows what will happen to us after Arafat, she told me. Maybe God will send us a better leader. John Vause, CNN, Ramallah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

WHITFIELD: It is an anxious wait for thousands of American families as their loved ones get ready for a major offensive planned in Iraq. Coming up, we'll find out how one soldier's wife is coping with the uncertainty and the fear as her husband waits to take part in the expected assaulted on Falluja.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Recapping today's top stories, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat remains in a hospital near Paris. His exact condition remains unknown. The latest official word is that the 75-year-old is sleeping and in stable condition, that coming from his media spokesperson.

More violence has led to a state of emergency being declared across most of Iraq. There were more car bombings today and attacks near Iraqi police stations. The interim prime minister says peaceful efforts to stop the violence plaguing the country have failed.

Several thousand hardcore insurgents are thought to be dug in around the city of Falluja. Daily bombings and artillery attacks are being used to soften up insurgents' positions before a major planned offensive. Thousands of U.S. Marines are poised on the outskirts of town. Back home, thousands of Marine families are also waiting for the Falluja offensive. They wait fearing the worst while hoping for the best. Donna Tetreault, profiles the wife of one U.S. Marine.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

DONNA TETREAULT, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A day at the beach for Megan Smith and her two daughters Molly, three, and Maggie, 1 1/2, isn't without thoughts that someone is missing.

Corporal Matthew Smith, Megan's husband is one of the thousands of Marines in Falluja preparing for an expected assault against insurgents.

MEGAN SMITH, WIFE OF MARINE IN FALLUJA: I don't want to spend another anniversary without him. I don't want to spend another birthday without him. I just want him home.

TETREAULT: New year's eve, the couple will celebrate their third year of marriage. But now Megan focuses more on the smaller milestones. The last time she spoke to her husband was about a week ago.

SMITH: When we get on the phone, he jokes a lot more than usual. So I know he's scared, but he's trying to hide it. So it's -- it's -- I think it's very hard on him to be away again.

TETREAULT: This is Matthew's second deployment to Iraq and Megan is worried she could get the worst news possible, like her neighbor did, now a widow.

SMITH: To see my neighbor get that news and to hear her cry. It was hard because I knew it could have been me or it could have been Matt. And I don't want it to be.

TETREAULT: And Megan says that she spends a lot of time praying. She said when she married her husband, she knew what she had signed up for but she never dreamed it would be this difficult. But Megan's not alone. There are thousands of families just like her, all of them here in Oceanside at Camp Pendleton. Donna Tetreault for CNN, Oceanside, California.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: Well, the votes are in. President George W. Bush is back in the White House. How will President Bush include the media in his new bipartisan spirit? RELIABLE SOURCES coming up at the bottom of the hour. Here's Howard Kurtz with a preview. Hi, Howie.

HOWARD KURTZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Hi, Fredricka, thanks very much. We'll grade the networks' coverage of election night and campaign 2004 with our panel of top journalists. CBS's John Roberts, "Time"'s Karen Tumulty and Frank Sesno. Plus, a look ahead at whether President Bush will possibly make peace with the press during his second term and the pundits who got it well, wrong, all that and more next on RELIABLE SOURCES.

WHITFIELD: All right. Thanks a lot Howard, look forward to that. A quick look now at news across America.

Some residents in Louisville, Kentucky, are calling for a curfew. A series of shootings over the past four days have people living on the edge. Law enforcement officials say police patrols will be increased in that city's west end and the public is being asked for information about the crimes.

A crowd of angry protesters gathered in Hollywood, California, to demonstrate against President Bush's reelection and U.S military operations in Iraq. Several were arrested for allegedly throwing bottles and vandalizing cars.

And in Hawaii, a Gulf war veteran is taking the U.S. Army to court for ordering him back to active duty. The man was honorably discharged from the Army reserves and he says he has fulfilled his eight-year military obligation.

Now a look at weather with Rob Marciano. Rob.

(WEATHER FORECAST)

WHITFIELD: Not bad, nice and mild. Like that. Thanks a lot, Rob.

Much more ahead on CNN LIVE SUNDAY. In a few moments, at the bottom of the hour, RELIABLE SOURCES takes a closer look at the relationship between President Bush and the media as plans for his second term gets underway.

Then at noon, it's LATE EDITION with Wolf Blitzer, today talking about the president's domestic agenda. At 2:00 Eastern, it's PEOPLE IN THE NEWS, today profiling Tom Hanks and Rod Stewart. But first a look at the top stories.

Nearly two dozen people were killed in violence in Iraq today. Attacks on three police stations near Ramadi and a pair of car bombings in Baghdad led to a state of emergency being declared by the interim prime minister.

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